Laloo Raj over

The fight that had started 15 years ago against Lalu Prasad Yadav’s ‘Jungle Raj’ in Bihar has come to an end today – a victory of truth over falsehood. Riding the crest of a wave for a change in Bihar, BJP – JD(U) combine won an absolute majority wresting power from Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD which had an uninterrupted reign for 15 years. 

The Chief Ministerial candidate & 54-year-old Kumar, an electrical engineer who led coalition to a convincing victory, said good governance will be his top most priority and would be fair to all religious communities and castes.

The RJD finally lost in the battle of ballots securing 53 seats and its alliance partner Congress getting nine seats, one less than last time & CPI retained three seats. 

NDA convener George Fernandes said he and his colleagues had to face violence in the fight against Lalu Prasad and recalled an incident when they were attacked near Muzaffarpur. 

The BJP chief L.K. Advani said he was happy that that the outcome of the polls indicated that equations of caste and community were no longer important and that people wanted good governance, development and security. 

The BJP chief said many people had asked him how criminals can be driven out of Bihar and law and order established with the change of a Chief Minister. “I can only point out that the poll campaign was conducted in a manner never seen with no violence and booth capturing. The Election Commission as a whole has to be complimented”, he said. 

The BJP Chief said like Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar, the upcoming elections in West Bengal were equally a big challenge for the Election Commission and it would have to deal with the situation with firmness.

With Bihar assembly poll verdict turning out to be another shock after the Iraqi oil-for-food scam, the cup of woes of Congress-Communist led coalition at the Centre today appeared full as it braced for a charged up opposition NDA in the winter session of Parliament beginning tomorrow.